Sorry folks, it has been a really busy few weeks, and I have not been able to post on the usual Thursday.However I am thinking as long as I can manage one post a week I should be OK, so here it is.

A few years ago my middle son decided to go to Pakistan for the first time, with his granddad. Whilst he was there he was given a tour of north Pakistan, which is exceptionally beautiful, a bit like the Swiss Alps in Europe, but with less snow and more remote.

One of the towns he visited was Lahore, a very old city famous for the Pakistan and India border crossing exhibition. Here is a link to it...

Back to the point. He was given a flying visit of Lahore and had the opportunity to visit the Bahshahi Mosque, built in 1671 by Aurangzeb the Mughal Emperor of the time. It is the second largest mosque in Pakistan and the fifth in the world. Here is the picture taken by my son, that inspired me to paint it in water colour.

As you can see by the date it was taken in 2010. I have not been there myself, but would love to sample the atmosphere especially in its quieter moments, so I decided to paint this painting without people present. Here are the stages.

I know it looks quite dark but just imagine coming in through the dark room and seeing this beautiful building in front staring at you, beckoning you to come and explore. I hope that one day I will get a chance to visit this majestic place. Until then I will just admire it in photos. Here is a short video for you to take in the architectural magnificence of this place. It really is a amazing work of art. You know where to click.

Don't you just love these long summer days. We have been so lucky this year with the lovely weather that I just cannot stop painting summery landscapes. I really enjoyed painting this one in watercolours. I felt transported inside the painting. Often when my husband and I have been driving in the countryside, we go past farmers fields where they would be growing something or other. But I have always wanted to see what a field of flowers organised in straight lines, running side by side and never meeting, would look like. I have not had the pleasure to see this in reality so this is the next best thing. Here it is in its first stages. Again, as previously, I got so engrossed in it, I forgot to take more pictures of the initial stages. Never mind you can still make out the various layers. Anyway, I wanted the setting sun to really shine and had some difficulty. I did not know how to get the sun's rays to shine over the flowers. After a couple of trial and errors I managed to pull it off. I am quite proud of the result, after all this is my journey of discovery into the world of art and the only way to learn is to paint. Here is the completed painting which I have named 'Summer's Gift'. Enjoy what is left of the summer! Love and Peace Samira :)

﻿Author﻿

I am a self taught artist who loves and appreciates art and photography. Both capture moments of life with great meaning and beauty.

A photo or a piece of art can set off all kinds of emotions. I believe that looking at paintings and images can promote healing too, a form of colour therapy.

Anyway, I hope my vision of my time on this planet can give you all some form of joy.

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